Established in 1984, the nationally recognized Welding Engineering Technology program
is the largest of its kind in the United States. The program is designed to produce
plant-level welding engineering technology graduates who are involved in the concept,
design and engineering of weldments and implementation of welding processes. This
overall knowledge of weldments and the ability to engineer welding and joining systems
produces graduates who are in great demand and highly compensated.

With one out of two products that comprise the US gross domestic product containing
a weld, the welding profession is prevalent in all areas of our economy. Graduates
of the Welding Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science degree program hold a wide
variety of position titles including welding engineer, manufacturing engineer, application
engineer, sales engineer and project engineer or manager. Graduates find employment
opportunities in various sectors of the construction, fabrication and manufacturing
economy. The most common industry employers include automotive, agricultural and construction
equipment producers, oil and gas industry suppliers, welding equipment manufacturers
and robotics and welding automation firms. Employment has been procured in more than
40 states across the country, with Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and
Iowa having the highest concentrations. Many of the 650+ Welding Engineering Technology
(WET) program alumni have enjoyed international assignments ranging from a few weeks
to five years in over 40 countries on six different continents around the world. Compensation
for students graduating from the WET program in May, 2014, averaged $66,000 annually.

Facilities and Faculty

Ferris provides several welding instructional areas including laboratories dedicated
to welding skill development, inspection, mechanical testing, robotics and laser processing,
resistance welding and material preparation/fabrication. Students are able to utilize
the latest welding equipment technology that industry has to offer. The core welding
courses are taught by professional faculty with over 90 combined years of teaching
experience at Ferris State. The required technical-related courses in material science,
electronics and machine tool are taught by faculty specialists in those departments.

Program and Student Recognition

Over the years, the welding engineering technology program and students have received
numerous awards and recognition.

Since 1986, students in the Ferris welding programs have received over $1.3 million
in academic scholarship awards from various industry and professional organizations.

50+ students have been recognized with endowed National Named Scholarships through
the American Welding Society (AWS), including two students who have traveled to Japan
as part of the AWS Matsuo Bridge Company Scholarship award - a priceless educational
experience!

The Resistance Welder Manufacturers' Alliance has awarded over 25 National Scholarships
to Ferris WET students since 1995.

WET faculty members Kenneth Kuk, and David Murray have been awarded the Adams Memorial
Membership and recognized as AWS Counselors for outstanding teaching and leadership
activities in their undergraduate and postgraduate institutions.

Awarded the American Welding Society national Image of Welding "Educational Facility"
in 2005

Ferris State University prepares students for successful careers, responsible citizenship,
and lifelong learning. Through its many partnerships and its career-oriented, broad-based
education, Ferris serves our rapidly changing global economy and society.

Welding Engineering Technology Program Educational Objectives

In 3-5 years after graduation program alumni will:

be active members in professional societies at the Section, District and/or National
level(s);

Program Educational Objectives are reviewed by the Welding Engineering Technology
faculty and WET Advisory Board every other year.

Consistency of the Program Educational Objectives with the Mission of the Institution

The educational objectives of the Welding Engineering Technology BS degree program
align themselves very well with the Ferris State University Mission Statement. As
the world continues to move toward a global society, it is imperative that students
graduating from Ferris are well prepared to encounter the ever-changing environment
of business and industry. The curriculum of WET program, in conjunction with the University
General Education policy, ensures graduates have achieved the program objectives and
are ready to meet the career, citizenship and life-long learning challenges that they
will face in the ever-changing global society and economy.

Welding Engineering Technology Program Student Outcomes

The Welding Engineering Technology program has adopted student outcomes which align
with ABET Criterion 3 (ABET Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission, 2014).
Students must achieve the following 11 outcomes:

an ability to select and apply the knowledge, techniques, skills, and modern tools
of the discipline to broadly-defined welding engineering technology activities;

an ability to select and apply a knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering, and
technology to welding engineering technology problems that require the application
of principles and applied procedures or methodologies;

an ability to conduct standard tests and measurements; to conduct, analyze, and interpret
experiments; and to apply experimental results to improve processes;

an ability to design systems, components, or processes for broadly-defined welding
engineering technology problems appropriate to program educational objectives;

an ability to function effectively as a member or leader on a technical team;